Parrikar asks CM to probe Rs.51 crore scam in SEZ land allotment

Published: Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 20:35 [IST]

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Panaji,Oct 24(UNI) The leader of the opposition in the Goa Legislative Asembly, Mr Manohar Parrikar today demanded a criminal investigation into the alleged Rs 51 crore scam in the allotment of land for an SEZ at Verna industrial estate in South Goa.

In a letter, Mr Parrikar told the CM that the Goa Industries Development Corporation(IDC) was allegedly involved in fradulant fixation of land prices last year besides resorting to manipulation of records.

''Many such fradulant deals costing several crores of rupees to the exchequer had come to notice in allotment of land for SEZs, even to an unregistered company, which needed a thorough probe,'' he told media persons.

He wondered why the IDC failed to verify whether the Planetview Mercantile Company Private Limited was registered with the Registrar of Companies or not before entertaining its application for land allotment.

The company, he said, was alloted 1.32 lakh square metres of land vide the IDC Board's resolution dated April 19,2006 and an additional 1.03,331 square metres of land as open space (suo motto largessee)later without a resolution even as it was not registered till April 19 2006.

Surprisingly, the IDC had waived even further transfer fees/sublease/assignment charges without a request application from the company, he added.

Refusing to name the people owning the blue eyed company at this state, Mr.Parrikar however indicated that a bid industrialist backed by a minister were behind the venture.

These and other allotments made at prices at the sweet will of the IDC authorities needed a thorough probe,either by the state CID or Vigilence wing or the CBI at the earliest besides scrapping all allotments under SEZ policy, Mr Parrikar said.

It might be recalled that the entire SEZ scam issue came up following a complaint filed on Monday by an organisation styled as the People's Movement against SEZ's'' with the Maina-Curtorim and Verna police stations against the IDC authorities besides Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president and IDC director Nitin Kunkoleinkar and 12 others.

IDC chairman and Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar, its director and power minister Aliexo Sequeira and managing director Palekar were among the prime accused named in the FIR.

The organisation, besides seeking a CID probe into the scam, urged the government to withdraw the SEZ policy which it said enhanced pressure on various precious resources including water, land and power besides attracting influx of migrants.

The copies of the FIR had also been submitted to chief minister Digambar Kamat, BJP opposition leader Manohar Parrikar, director general of police B,S Brar, superintendent of police (Anti-Corruption Bureau) and the additional director, vigilance department.

Mr Kavlekar,Sequeira and Palekar,however stoutly denied the allegations but welcomed any inquiry either by the state CID or the CBI.

The government had already notified two such SEZ's out of the seven which were approved as against 15 recommended. The land involved at Verna industrial estate was 16.77 lakh square metres followed by 13.68 lakh squarre metres at Quittol, 12.61 at keri and 2.03 square metres at Sancole.